Tech work force braces for election outcome

Whether Barack Obama or John McCain is elected president will have an impact on foreign policy, taxes, a host of social issues ? and information technology departments?

Forty-three percent of IT professionals say that the election outcome will affect their companies' IT decision making, the Wall Street Journal reports. The newspaper's story draws on the findings of the CDW IT Monitor, a regular survey of IT professionals.

At first glance, presidential politics might not seem like the kind of thing that would have an impact on tech departments. But the tech pros surveyed said that who wins the election could influence their budgets, staffing plans and purchasing decisions.

For example, environmental policies might lead an IT department to buy more energy-efficient tech equipment ? even if it comes with a higher price tag. And immigration issues will impact whether businesses can hire foreign tech workers.

Respondents cited a number of policies that they thought would most be influenced by the outcome of the presidential election, including taxes, cybersecurity, data-protection and offshore outsourcing.

So who do IT pros trust more to handle these items? Obama and McCain tied with 28 percent of the response, edging out neither, which came in at 22 percent.

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